General Mills Responce

[Denied]

The following is a responce I received from General Mills. My origional letter is appended to the bottom.
dean

Dear Mr. Clifton:

Thank you for contacting General Mills. We are sorry that you found our premium inappropriate and appreciate the time you took to share your opinion.

The "Pets and their Celebrities" calendar promotes the benefits - and responsibilities - of pet ownership. It is a responsible message. It is not "anti-hunting." It is not "anti-fishing." The calendar pictures celebrities and their pets, with a message of responsible pet ownership. But we're aware of the reaction this has spawned with hunting, fishing and outdoors enthusiasts - and we're taking calls and letters like yours very seriously. Your views will certainly be shared with the decision-makers involved in this and future decisions regarding our promotional tie-in partners.

We appreciate your interest and hope you continue to enjoy our products and promotions.

Sincerely,

Jennie Taylor

General Mills
Consumer Services

>Original Message From: dean@cinci.rr.com
>
> I was distressed to see that General Mills had become a contributor to Humane Society of the United States. HSUS is an anti hunting and fishing organization and one of their goals is to restrict or eliminate hunting and fishing. Hopefully you got taken in by this group and will rethink you commitment to them. As a long time consumer of your products I await your reply.Dean CliftonFranklin, Ohiodean@cinci.rr.com

[Nate W.]

I got the same reply. Man it sure has taken them a long time to get thru all the e-mails!! I've seen this on hunting boards too. Anyway, here's is my reply to Ms. Fenwick's response:

Dear Ms. Fenwick,

I agree the calender is not "anti-" anything, but the group you have aligned youselves with anyone can clearly see exists for the sole purpose of promoting those "anti" views. No doubt even The Taliban at one point promoted some "responsible message" somewhere.

"The Message" is not the issue with General Mills, it is your alignment with such a distasteful messanger. Will General Mills be making future plans to promote soil and water conservation in partnerships with Pheasants Forever or Waterfowl USA? Both organizations have similar youth education programs and equally "responsible messages."

Like millions of other concerned sportsmen, neither I nor my family have any intention of participating in this promotion, and we have asked our friends and family members that they avoid this promotion as well. With so many choices in the cereal marketplace, we feel our request will be easily honored.

Nate Whited
Independence, IA

[groovymoe]

Nate:

You worded your message very well. Good job, and I can only hope that G.M. realizes that the sportsmen of this country does have the ability to put a dent in the companies bottom line which is all they care about anyhow.

groovymoe

[AquaMan]

"To whom it may concern:

I have always been an avid supporter of all local companies through the years and General Mills has been a great community leader in Minnesota. So, it was with great disappointment that I discovered General Mills has begun a campaign that, on the surface, is meant to endear all pet owners to the needs of their pets during this next year.

Unfortunately you have chosen an poor ally in your noble effort. HSUS has, both in the past and currently, demonstrated a very unethical approach to animal welfare. Extremist tactics towards hunters and fisherman have created a deep and irreparable chasm between those two groups and I feel it incumbent upon you to research this relationship better in the future when making such alliances. Far different from the Humane Society of America, the HSUS has some unscrupulous activities that will bear an unfavorable light on General Mills in the end. Your stock holders will surely be disappointed by this alliance as will your loyal consumer base. Visit this web site for details (http://pages.infinit.net/paww/hsus2.html)

I realize that you received some poor publicity when featuring the BASS Champions on the cover of Wheaties several years ago, but it was from extremist groups that pander to human sentiment on a very irrational level. The majority of the general public was thrilled to get recognition of this sport at that level. The resources that provide outdoor recreation and extractive sports like hunting and fishing are paid for by those groups that use them; Hunters and fishers Yet those resources are made available to everyone and are better today then 50 years ago as a result of the use tax that sportsman/women pay. Do not shrug this off, there are thousands of disappointed customers that feel you have simply chosen the wrong ally for this noble effort. In closing, most of us are pet owners as well but you should chose your partners better and we will chose our products better!

Sincerely

Eric Stander"


AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It all begins and ends at the water's edge...

[curt quesnell]

I got the same message from a Sue Fenwick and it seemed like the
logical response. I didnt think they would dissolve the campaign
and toss the dollars invested so far but, if what we did has an
impact it will be on the NEXT promotion or alliance made by General
Mills.

curt quesnell

[Jersey John]

I just recieved my messages today and found the same one! Makes me think she or the company really doesn't care because they cannot take the time to write each person a different letter. SAME ON THEM!!!!! I for one will still not buy their products till I hear further resolution on this matter. JJ

[Jersey John]

sorry--- SHAME

[Cangl]

Response from Glenda Ellis today. The Humane Soc. has left common sense behind and putting animal rights ahead of commonsense and freedom with it's attacks on actual commerce and outdoor enthusiasts should stop its a no brainer!

Kids just got a new kitten, used to be we would contact them and look there, after the last couple of years of their ignorance. I elected to try a few "signs" Got one with out their help and rest assured this kittens in better hands with a free sports family then their gas ;)

[Me too!]

I got the same form letter. Here is my response to them

"Nice Form Letter.

I can plainly see that I do not matter to you, and that you willingly side step the benefactors to the calendar and what they stand for. Is it ever a worthy cause to support animal rights extremeists?

So, the remaining Cheerios are now kitty litter, and that is even to good a use for them.

General Mills say goodbye to my money."

[FROGMAN]

Unfortunately I recieved the same form letter from a Vannessa Penns. I replied to them that until they disavowed any association with the HSUS I would refrain from purchasing their products.

Hoppy New YEAR!

FROGMAN

[Skis]

Same e-mail from a Vanessa as well. What a crock! Makes you really wonder if they give a #$#%!